Top 12 Sports Betting Investors in Europe
Top 12 Sports Betting Investors in Europe
The sports betting industry in Europe is vibrant and multifaceted, characterized by both regulated and emerging markets. Operators range from prominent online sportsbooks and casinos to betting technology providers and affiliate networks. With increasing digitalization, companies offer a blend of traditional betting options alongside innovative features like live betting and mobile gaming. The industry is poised for further growth as legislation evolves, fostering competitive markets that attract new players while enhancing customer experiences. Trends indicate a push towards responsible gaming and integration with technology, paving the way for sustainable expansion in this exciting sector.
The investors featured in this list represent various types, including corporate giants, venture capital firms, and private equity players. They are headquartered in cities like London, Stockholm, and Copenhagen, reflecting Europe's robust investment ecosystem. These firms vary significantly in size, from small teams to large organizations, indicating a wide breadth of engagement in the sports betting market. Many were established in the early 2000s, with some making multiple investments in 2024, showcasing their commitment to the sector's ongoing evolution. This assortment of investors reveals both traditional and innovative approaches in shaping the future of sports betting.
Top 12 Sports Betting Investors in Europe
1. Better Collective
- Website: bettercollective.com
- Type: Corporate
- Headquarters: Copenhagen, Denmark
- Founded year: 2001
- Headcount: 1001-5000
- Number of deals in 2024: 1
- LinkedIn: better-collective
Better Collective is a corporate investor based in Copenhagen, Denmark, founded in 2001. The company specializes in digital media, focusing on sports and esports content that engages sports fans and bettors. Better Collective operates a portfolio of media brands that provide valuable insights and resources for navigating the sports betting landscape. Notably, the company has made significant acquisitions in the sports betting sector, including VegasInsider in 2019, The Action Network in 2021 for $240 million, and Canada Sports Betting in 2022 for up to 21.4 million EUR. Additionally, they acquired RotoGrinders in 2019 and PariuriX in 2017, further expanding their influence in the iGaming and sports betting markets. These strategic moves highlight Better Collective's focus on enhancing its presence and capabilities within the sports betting industry.
2. Betsson AB (publ)
- Website: betssonab.com
- Type: Corporate
- Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
- Founded year: 1963
- Headcount: 11-50
- Number of deals in 2024: 3
- LinkedIn: betssonab
Betsson AB (publ) is a corporate investor based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 1963. The company operates as an online gaming provider, offering a diverse range of gaming services, including sports betting and casino games. Betsson is licensed in multiple jurisdictions, ensuring a regulated environment for its users. Over the years, Betsson has made several strategic acquisitions to strengthen its position in the sports betting market. Notable transactions include the acquisition of Betsafe in 2011, which enhanced its Nordic market presence; the acquisition of RaceBets in 2016, aimed at bolstering its horse racing offerings; and the purchase of NordicBet in 2012, which further expanded its market reach. Additionally, Betsson acquired TonyBet in 2016, increasing its footprint in the Baltic region. Most recently, in 2022, Betsson acquired a majority stake in a B2B sportsbook business, indicating its ongoing commitment to the sports betting sector.
3. Playtech
- Website: playtech.com
- Type: Corporate
- Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
- Founded year: 1999
- Headcount: 5001-10000
- LinkedIn: playtech
Playtech plc is a technology company based in London, England, specializing in gambling software development. Founded in 1999, Playtech has grown to become a leading provider of online gaming solutions, offering a wide range of products that include online casino software, poker, and sports betting solutions. The company serves online gaming operators by providing them with tools to enhance player engagement and ensure compliance with industry regulations. Playtech has been actively involved in the sports betting industry through various transactions. For instance, it completed the acquisition of 80% of Snaitech, an Italian gaming company, for €846 million, which significantly bolstered its presence in the sports betting market. Additionally, Playtech led a growth round investment in Sporting News, which aims to expand its affiliate business and invest in online fantasy sports, further indicating Playtech's strategic interest in the sports betting sector. Other transactions, such as its involvement with Sportech, also highlight its engagement in the broader gambling landscape.
4. Entain
- Website: entaingroup.com
- Type: Corporate
- Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
- Founded year: 2001
- Headcount: 10001+
- LinkedIn: entain
Entain plc is a leading sports betting and gaming company based in London, England. Founded in 2001, the company offers a diverse range of betting services, including sports betting, online casino games, and poker. Entain operates several well-known brands in the industry, ensuring a safe and engaging experience for its customers. The company has made significant acquisitions to expand its footprint in the sports betting market, including the acquisition of Sportingbet in 2013, Neds in 2018 for approximately $49.3 million, and the Betboo group in 2009 for $4 million. More recently, in 2021, Entain acquired Enlabs for SEK3.7 billion (£312.1 million), and in 2023, they acquired Tab NZ for NZ$150 million, demonstrating their ongoing commitment to enhancing their presence in the sports betting landscape.
5. Velo Partners
- Website: velopartners.co.uk
- Type: Venture Capital
- Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
- Founded year: 2013
- Headcount: 1-10
- Number of deals in 2024: 2
- LinkedIn: velo-partners
Velo Partners is a London-based venture capital firm founded in 2013, specializing in early-stage investments within the gaming and gambling sectors. They provide financial backing and strategic guidance to help businesses grow, particularly those that show strong early traction and a clear growth trajectory. Notable transactions include their investment in Oddin.gg, which raised $4.5 million in a Series A round to enhance its position as a leader in B2B esports betting. Additionally, they have invested in Kwiff, a sports betting platform, and QL Gaming Group, which focuses on gaming solutions. These investments highlight Velo Partners' commitment to the sports betting industry and their role in supporting innovative companies within this space.
6. Kima Ventures
- Website: kimaventures.com
- Type: Venture Capital
- Headquarters: Paris, Île-De-France, France
- Founded year: 2010
- Headcount: 1-10
- Number of deals in 2024: 50
- LinkedIn: kima-ventures
Kima Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Paris, Île-De-France, France, founded in 2010. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage startups across various sectors, backing two startups per week with financial support and mentorship to help them navigate initial challenges. Among their notable transactions, Kima Ventures invested in Jackpocket, which raised $2 million in a seed round in April 2015. Jackpocket is a platform that allows users to place bets on sports, making it a significant player in the sports betting industry. Additionally, Kima Ventures invested in Sorare, creators of a blockchain-based football game, which, while not a direct betting platform, is closely related to the sports and gaming sectors. This diverse portfolio showcases Kima Ventures' commitment to supporting innovative startups, including those in the sports betting space.
7. Cvc
- Website: cvc.com
- Type: Private Equity
- Headquarters: Luxembourg
- Founded year: 2005
- Headcount: 1001-5000
- Number of deals in 2024: 16
- LinkedIn: cvc-capital-partners
CVC Capital Partners is a prominent private equity firm based in Luxembourg, founded in 2005. The firm specializes in private equity, credit, secondaries, and infrastructure, managing approximately €193 billion in assets for over 1000 clients, including pension funds and institutional investors. CVC has made significant strides in the sports betting industry, notably acquiring a majority stake in Tipico Group, a leading sports betting operator in Germany, in 2016. They also agreed to acquire Sisal Group S.p.A., a company involved in gaming and betting, for an enterprise value of €1 billion, expected to finalize in 2023. Additionally, CVC has a history of investments in related sectors, such as their acquisition of Magnum Corp and involvement with Premiership Rugby, showcasing their strategic approach to delivering sustainable value and growth through investments in the sports and betting landscape.
8. Yolo Investments
- Website: yolo.io
- Type: Venture Capital
- Headquarters: Tallinn, Harju, Estonia
- Founded year: 2017
- Headcount: 11-50
- Number of deals in 2024: 8
- LinkedIn: vereeni-investments
Yolo Investments is a venture capital firm based in Tallinn, Estonia, specializing in fund management within the igaming, fintech, and crypto sectors. Founded in 2017, the firm manages a €100 million fund and focuses on late seed, series A, and growth stage investments. Notably, Yolo Investments has made significant strides in the sports betting industry, having acquired a non-controlling stake in Betegy, a sports data technology provider, to support its global expansion. Additionally, they participated in the funding round for BetConnect, a UK-based sports betting platform, further solidifying their commitment to the sports betting sector. Their investments in Enteractive, aimed at enhancing its global scaling capabilities, also reflect their strategic interest in companies that operate within or support the sports betting ecosystem.
9. Sportradar
- Website: sportradar.com
- Type: Corporate
- Headquarters: St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
- Founded year: 2001
- Headcount: 1001-5000
- Number of deals in 2024: 1
- LinkedIn: sportradar
Sportradar AG, founded in 2001 and based in St. Gallen, Switzerland, is a leading sports technology company that specializes in providing data analytics and technology solutions for the sports, media, and betting industries. With a workforce of 1001-5000 employees, Sportradar offers a wide range of products including sports data, odds, and engagement tools, serving clients such as bookmakers and sports federations to enhance their operations and customer engagement. Notably, Sportradar has made several strategic acquisitions to bolster its presence in the sports betting sector. For instance, the acquisition of Fresh Eight Ltd in March 2021 allowed Sportradar to enhance its digital marketing services specifically for the betting and gaming market. Additionally, the acquisition of Synergy Sports in May 2021 aimed to strengthen its sports betting services in the U.S., marking a significant move to enhance its product offerings. Furthermore, the planned acquisition of IMG ARENA from Endeavor Group Holdings, expected to close in 2025, indicates Sportradar's ongoing strategy to expand its influence in the sports betting domain. These transactions highlight Sportradar's commitment to being a key player in the sports betting industry.
10. Seedrs
- Website: seedrs.com
- Type: Corporate
- Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
- Founded year: 2009
- Headcount: 51-200
- Number of deals in 2024: 2
- LinkedIn: seedrs
Seedrs Limited (trading as Republic Europe) is a crowdfunding platform based in London, England, that connects investors with startups and businesses seeking capital. Founded in 2009, Seedrs offers equity crowdfunding, investment opportunities, and advisory services, catering to both individual investors and businesses. The platform facilitates access to early-stage investments and provides a marketplace for capital raising. Among its notable transactions, Seedrs participated in the seed funding of FootballINDEX, which raised $1,598,219 on March 26, 2016. This investment highlights Seedrs' involvement in the sports betting industry, showcasing its capability to support innovative companies within this sector, alongside other diverse investments such as WebStart Bristol and Vrumi.
11. Stats Perform
- Website: statsperform.com
- Type: Corporate
- Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
- Founded year: 1981
- Headcount: 1001-5000
- Number of deals in 2024: 1
- LinkedIn: stats-perform
Stats Perform is a corporate investor based in London, England, specializing in AI-driven analytics and data collection for the sports industry. Founded in 1981, the company has grown to employ between 1001 and 5000 people. Stats Perform provides a range of services, including data feeds, predictive analytics, and performance analysis, which are vital for media outlets, sports teams, and betting services. Their acquisitions reflect a commitment to enhancing their product offerings in the sports data space. Notably, they acquired Perform Group in 2019, which expanded their reach in sports data analytics. In 2012, they acquired Mackolik, a Turkish digital sports media company, which further solidified their presence in the sports data market. These transactions highlight Stats Perform's strategic focus on enhancing their capabilities in sports data, making them a key player in the sports betting industry.
12. Index Ventures
- Website: indexventures.com
- Type: Venture Capital
- Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
- Founded year: 1996
- Headcount: 51-200
- Number of deals in 2024: 67
- LinkedIn: index-ventures
Index Ventures is a venture capital firm founded in 1996, based in London, England. The firm invests in innovative startups across various sectors, including technology and healthcare, providing capital and strategic support to entrepreneurs. They focus on building long-term partnerships with founders to drive success. Notably, Index Ventures has invested in Flutter Entertainment, a leading company in the sports betting industry, which highlights their engagement in this sector. Additionally, they have participated in various funding rounds for other companies, showcasing their diverse investment portfolio.
Sports Betting Insights: Key Investors in Europe
| Investor | Headquarter | Size | Founded | Deals 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Better Collective | Copenhagen, Denmark | 1001-5000 | 2001 | 1 |
| Betsson AB (publ) | Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden | 11-50 | 1963 | 3 |
| Playtech | London, England, United Kingdom (UK) | 5001-10000 | 1999 | 0 |
| Entain | London, England, United Kingdom (UK) | 10001+ | 2001 | 0 |
| Velo Partners | London, England, United Kingdom (UK) | 1-10 | 2013 | 2 |
| Kima Ventures | Paris, Île-De-France, France | 1-10 | 2010 | 50 |
| Cvc | Luxembourg | 1001-5000 | 2005 | 16 |
| Yolo Investments | Tallinn, Harju, Estonia | 11-50 | 2017 | 8 |
| Sportradar | St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland | 1001-5000 | 2001 | 1 |
| Seedrs | London, England, United Kingdom (UK) | 51-200 | 2009 | 2 |
| Stats Perform | London, England, United Kingdom (UK) | 1001-5000 | 1981 | 1 |
| Index Ventures | London, England, United Kingdom (UK) | 51-200 | 1996 | 67 |
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